Automatic regulator for electric circuits.



PATENTED NOV. 28, 1905.

M. WADDELL.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1904.

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W avwawtoz lad/02% No. 805,505. PATENTED NOV. 28, 1905. M. WADDELL.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1904.

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I W WM q vvwwooao UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. MONTGOMERY WA-DDELL, OFNEW YORK. N. Y.

AUTOMATIC REGULATOR FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov". 28, 1905.

Application filed Tune 28, 1904. Serial No. 214,468.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MONTGOMERY WADDELL, asubject of the King of Great Britaimresiding in the city, county, andState of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement;in Automatic Regulators for Electric Circuits, of which the followingis a specification.

My present invention relates to an improved means for the regulation ofelectric circuits for the maintenance of constant current or of constantpotential, or of both, in different parts of a system supplied by one ormore generators.

The invention is particularly useful in connection with dynamos usedwith auxiliary secondary batteriesfor instance, for lighting purposes,particularly where (as in carlighting) the dynamo is most convenientlydriven at a varying rate of speed.

This invention may be readily combined with certain features of theapparatus described in my United States Letters Patent No. 760,091,dated May 17, 1904, and when so combined the advantages incident to bothinventions are successfully united.

Certain preferred forms of this present invention are shown in theaccompanying draw-- ings, wherein- Figure 1 is a diagram of circuits asused in one embodiment of my general invention. Fig. 2 is a similarillustration of a modified arrangement. Fig. 3 is a combined sideelevation and diagram showing the rheostat and governor so arranged asto combine the two forms shown in Figs. 1 and 2 while uniting with themcertain features of my aforesaid prior patent. Fig. 4. is a top view ofa preferred form of rheostat-bar. Fig. 5 is an end view of the same,showing one mode of attachment therefor; and Fig. 6 is a sectional viewof one rheostat-column preferably used by me.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the dynamo to be regulated, which is shown asshunt-wound, is shown at 1, the armature 2 feeding current to thebrushes 3 and 4, and the field-magnets being provided with two sets ofcoils 5 and 6 in series; and in the form shown these supply current to asecondary battery 8 and to lights 9. At 10 there is indicated anydesired form of local regulator for the lights. The two sections offield-magnet winding 5 and 6 are reversely wound with respect to eachother, and the longer section 5,- which may be termed the principalcoil, always prevails. At any The main circuit-wires are shown at 7,

moment the actual field-magnet excitation is the result of thedifference between the effects of the two coils. The reverse winding ofthe field-magnet coils is conventionally indicated in the drawings bymaking those por tions of the field-magnet coils which are convex towardthe observer in unbroken curves, while the portions of the coils behindthe field-magnets are shown dotted.

The description thus far given applies to Figs. 1 and 2 alike; but thesefigures show somewhat diiferent modes of treatment of these elements. InFig. 1 a rheostat 11 is shown preferably composed of one or more columnsof resisting-bodies whose total resistance is variable by changes inpressure, which column is placed in series with the principal coils 5and in shunt with the reverse-coils 6. In the form shown this isaccomplished by connecting the top of the column 11 by the wire 12 tothe end of the principal coil 5, while the wire 13 connects thearmature-brush 4 to the pivot 14 of the regulator-arm 15, one end ofwhich bears upon the lower end of the column 11. A variety of means maybe employed for control of the regulator-arm 15, and these will differin construction and in arrangement with reference to the electricalsystem according to the nature of the regulation required. In the formshown on Fig.1 this control is accomplished by the solenoid 16and'reaction-spring 17. The solenoid 16 is placed in series with themain circuit 7, and its core 18 is so attached to the end of the arm 15that the normal effort of the solenoid tends to compress the spring 17or equivalent reactive means and to diminish the pressure on the column11.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is as follows: Assumingthe system to be in operation and that for any reason there is atendency to an increase of current in the main wires 7, the firstmomentary rise in current will cause an increased effort in the solenoid16, which by decreasing the pressure of the spring 17, transmittedthrough the lever 15 to the resisting-column 11, will instantly cause anincrease in the total resistance of said column. This will cause acorresponding decrease in the total current passing through theprincipal field-magnet coils 5, while at the same time producing an-increased flow in the reverse-coils 6. There will thus be caused adouble weakening of the field-magnet of the dynamo 1 and undue rise inthe main current will be prevented:

By combining the regulator with the two reversely-wound field-magnetsections, sub stantially as shown, relatively small changes in currentwill instantly produce important changes in the field-magnet.

In Fig. 2 is illustrated a modified arrange- "ment of parts equallywithin the scope of my invention. Here the column 11 is placed in serieswith the reverse-coil 6, which is diagrammatically shown wound on bothlegs of the magnet. This position of the field-magnet coil is alsoappropriate to the arrangement in Fig. 1. The resisting-column 11, whichis in shunt with the principal excitingcoil 5, is so placed in this formof my invention that the reactive spring 17 tends to oppose compressionupon the column 11. The solenoid 16 and core 18 are replaced in thisfigure by an equivalent combination of magnet 19 and armature 20, thenormal effect of which is to oppose the spring 17 and to exert pressureupon the column 11.

The operation of the arrangement shown in. Fig. 2 is as follows: Anincipient increase of current in the main circuit acts through themagnet 19 to increase the pressure upon the column 11, thus lesseningits total resistance. This causes diversion of current from theprincipal or exciting-coil 5 of the field-magnet and increases the flowthrough the reverse-coil, whereby again the field-magnet is weakened andthe desired regulation is accomplished.

While I have shown my regulator applied to a shunt-wound generator, myinvention is not limited to this combination.

The preferredform of my device (shown in Figs. 3 to 6) employsacombination of two rheostat-columns with the principal and reversecoils on the field-magnet. This may be used in a variety of ways,according to the kind of regulation desired, and I prefer to use it sothat during a portion of the period of its operation at least itcombines the two systems above described with reference to Figs. 1 and2. Fig. 3 furthermore shows an improved form of regulator-arm to beapplied in combination with the other parts of the regulator in such amanner that it forms part of an automatic means for closing the maincircuit and bringing the regulator itself into operation. This feature,as well as the means for employing two resisting-columns dilferentially,is capable of application to a variety of regulating devices, and 1 donot limit my-' self in my claims to its use in combination with theother features of my invention,which are illustrated with it in Fig. 3.It is to be further understood that 1 am not limited to use of myregulator in combination with a and 24 and subjected to compressionbetween these abutments and two compression members or nuts 25 and 26 attheir opposite ends. As shown in Fig. 6, the resisting-columns inquestion are preferably composed of superimposed carbon buttons 27,separated at regular intervals by metal plates 28, the whole beingperforated from end to end to permit the passage of an insulated rod 2930 in each column. The rod 29 is threaded at its upper end'to receivethe pressure-nut 25, and the nut 26 is similarly applied to the rod 30.This arrangement permits of adjustments to suit various conditions. Aconducting cross-lever 31 is pivoted at 32 between the two columns, andits two ends are pivotally attached to the upper ends of the rods 29 and30.. The lower end of the rod 30 is preferably provided with a dash-pot33, adapted to prevent sudden movements. At the lower end of the rod 29a nut 34 is screwed in place and a short strong regulating-spring 35 isso placed between the abutment 23 and the nut 24 as to tend to exert aconstant pressure upon the column 21, while at the same time opposingexertion of pressure upon the second column 22. The regulator-bar takesthe form of a frame comprising the two conducting side pieces 36 and 37,pivoted upon an insulated pin 38. (See Fig. 4.) The pin 38 is borne atits two endsin a bracket 39, made of two conducting halves separated byinsulation 40. The side piece 36 is connected to one half of 39 and theside piece 37 to the other half by contact between the respective parts,as shown in Fig. 4 at 41 and 42. The side pieces are connected at threepoints by cross-pins insulated from said side pieces. The first of these(shown at 43) provides a pivotal connection for the longregulating-spring 44. The second pin 45 is placed between the solenoidand the pivot 38, and upon this pin there bears a saddle 46, fixed atthe lower end of the rod 29. The short spring 35 pushes the saddle 46down upon the pin 45. The third pin 47 serves to unite the side piecesat their outer extremity. In Fig. 3 a stop 48 is shown, which serves tolimit downward movement of the regulatorframe. The regulating-solenoid49 is preferably supplied with coils 50 and 51, and its core 18 carriesat its lower end a circuit-closing cross-piece 52, preferably composedof one or more springs, as shown in plan view in Fig. 4. Thisbridge-piece 52 extends transversely under the pivoted regulator, (seeFig. 4,) so as to make electrical contact with both side pieces and liftone end of the frame when the core 18 is raised. A small rod extendsupward through the top of the solenoid, being fixed to the end of thecore, and an appropriate weight 53 is carried by said rod. This weightis preferably screwed upon the rod which carries it to facilitateadjustmentin position, and thereby regulate the distance to which thebridging-piece 52 falls when circuit is broken. (See Figs. 3 in dottedlines.)

The apparatus shown inFig. 3 is connected to the dynamo-circuit foroperation as follows: One part of the bracket 39 is connected directlyto one brush 3 of the armature, and the main current, leaving from theother part of said bracket and passing through the coarsewire coil 51 onthe solenoid 19, goes to the translating devices. Two shunt-circuitslead from the main circuit between the armature and the bracket 39. Thefirst of these leads through the principal field-magnet coil, thereverse-coil, and the solenoid-coil 50, back to the main line at 55. Thesecond shunt goes by the wire 56 up through the resisting-column 22,across the lever31, down the column 21, and back to the line by-the wire57. in

addition to these connections a compensating wire 58 connects the lever31 between the two columns 21 and 22, with a point between the twosections of the field-magnet coils. As indicated by the opposed arrowson the wire 58, the current will flow in one direction or the other onthis wire, according to the conditions existing in the system. Undercertain possible conditions of equilibrium no current at all will flowhere. Assuming now that the dynamo is ready to start from a state ofrest to supply current-to a previously-idle main circuit, thesolenoid-core is depressed and the bridging-piece 52 occupies theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. After I the dynamo starts andas soon as sufficient potential exists at the brushes 3 and 4 the core18 will be raised by the action of the coil 50, and the bridging-piece52 will be lifted into contact with the two side pieces 36 37, thusclosing the main circuit and putting pressure against the pivoted frame.The main circuit will then proceed, as indicated by the arrows, frombrush 3 toone insulated section of the bracket 39, to the side piece 37,across the bridging-piece 52 to the other side piece 36, thence to theother side of the bracket 39, to the coil 51. on the solenoid, andfinally through the translating devices back to brush 4. Before closureof circuit at 52 the resistance of the column 22 is near its highestpoint and that of the column 21 is near its minimum, owing to the actionof the spring 35. TheQresult is that very little current is divertedfrom the principal field-magnet coil 5,

i i and the column 21 diverts a large part of the current from thereverse-coil 6, but leaving suffieient to enable the coil 50 to operatethe 55- main-circuit switch. This condition of course favors rapidbuilding up of the field magnetism. As soon as the lifting action of thesolenoid is felt there is at first a rapid rise of resistance in thecolumn 21 and a corresponding fall of resistance in the column 22, whichchecks the rise of field magnetism by diverttime the current passingthrough the coil 50 is increased, and this coil acts through thesolenoid to still further compress the column 22 whilerelieving thecolumn 21 of pressure. The desired balance is determined in advance bythe tension and dimensions of the springs 35 and 44 and thecharacteristics of the solenoid and dynamo. The short and long springsherein shown and described have their functions fully set forth in myapplication for Letters Patent, Serial No. 182,576, filed November 15,1903.

By appropriate proportions in the coils and resistance-columns thecurrent can be diverted from the exciting-fields to such an extent thatunder appropriate predetermined conditions an actual fall in bothpotential and current volume in the main circuit can be made to followan excessive increase in the generator speed.

It will be seen that the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 and above describedprovides a very delicate and instantaneous regulating means, since thetwo differential columns 21 22 are so arranged as to produce contraryand simultaneous effects on the two oppositelywound sections offield-magnet windings, and thus cooperate for the production of a largeeffect answering to relatively small casual changes in current.Moreover, the coil 50, acting as it does to increase its own effectuntil balanced by the changes in the main circuit and the coil 51,cooperates with the differential columns to promote promptitude anddelicacy of regulation.

Many modifications may be made in the various parts of this inventionwithout de parting from the scope thereof, and I am not to be understoodas limiting myself to the dc tails herein shown and described.

What I claim is 1. In a device of the class described, a dynamo havingtwo sections of field-magnetcoils wound so as to magnetically opposeeach other, one end of each section being electrically connected to onearmature-brush and the remaining ends of the two sections beingelectrically connected to each other, between said brushes; incombination with a rheostat connected in shunt with one of the sectionsof said coils and means for varying the resistance in said rheostat,substantially as described.

- 2. Ina device of the class described, a dynamo having two sections offield-magnet coils wound so as to magnetically oppose each other, oneend of each section being electrically connected to one armature-brushand the remaining ends of the two sections being electrically connectedto each other between said brushes; in combination with a rheostatconnected in shunt with one of said coils and electromagnetic means incircuit with said dynamo for varying the resistance in said rheostat,substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described,a dynamo having two sections offield-magnet coils wound so as to magnetically oppose each other,

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one end of each section being electrically connected to onearmaturebrush and the remainconnected to each other between saidbrushes;

in combination with a regulator comprising a variable-resistance devicein shunt with the reverse field-magnet coil substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, a dynamo having two sections offield-magnet coils wound so as to magnetically oppose each other, oneend of each section being electrically con-. nected to onearmature-brush and the remaining ends of the two sections beingelectrically connected to each other between said brushes; incombination with a rheostat in shunt with each coil and electromagneticmeans in circuit, with said dynamo for simultaneously varying theresistance in both of said rheostats, substantially as described.

6. In a device of the class described, a dynamo having a principalfield-magnet coil and a magnetically-opposing field-magnet coil in shuntwith the armature and in series with each other, two separate rheostatsin shunt with said armature and with the first-named shunt but in serieswith each other, a compensating wire connecting a point between saidrheostats with a point between said fieldniagnet coils and means forsimultaneously operating both of said rheostats, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a device of the class described, a dynamo comprising two sectionsof field-magnet coils wound so as to magnetically oppose each other anda regulator comprising two separate rheostats electrically connected tosaid coils and means adapted to operate said rheostats simultaneously soas to increase the current in one of said coils while decreasing thecurrent in the other,substantially as described.

8. In a device of the class described, a dynamo comprising two sectionsof field-magnet coils wound so as to magnetically oppose each other, anelectromagnetic regulator in circuit therewith, two separate rheostatsalso connected to said coils and means operated by said electromagneticregulator and adapted to operate said rheostats simultaneously so as toincrease the current in one of said coils while decreasing the currentin the other coil, substantially as described.

'9. In a device of the class described, a dynamo having a principalwinding and a re verse winding on the field-magnet thereof, tworheostats in series with each other and individually in shunt with saidtwo field-magnet windings respectively and means for setting upsimultaneous and oppositeresistance changes in said two rheostats,substantially as described.

10. In a device of the class described, a dynamo having a principalfield-magnet winding and areverse field-magnet winding in shunt with thearmature and in series with each other, two independent rheostats inseries with each other and in shunt with said windings, a compensatingwire connectinga point between said rheostats with a point between saidfieldmagnet coils and means for setting up simultaneous and oppositeresistance changes in said two rheostats, substantially asdescribed.

11. In a device of the class described, a dynamo having two sections offield-magnet coils wound so as to magnetically oppose each other; incombination with a separate rheostat in shunt with each of saidfield-magnet coils and means for varying the resistance of each of saidrheostats substantially as described.

12. In a device of the class described, adynamo having two sections offield-magnet coils wound so as to magnetically oppose each other; incombination with a separate rheostat in shunt with each of saidfield-magnet windings and means for setting up simultaneous and oppositeresistance changes in said two rheostats, substantially as described.

13. In a device of the class described, a dy namo having a principalexciting field-magnet coil and a reverse-wound coil magnetically opposedthereto; in combination with a separate column of resisting-bodies inshunt with each of said field-magnet coils and means for setting'upsimultaneous and opposite changes in the pressures existing on said twocolumns, substantially as described.

14. In adevice of the class described, adynamo having a principalfield-magnet winding and a reverse field-magnet winding, in combinationwith a separate column of resistingbodics in shunt with each of saidfield-magnet windings,a pivoted spring-pressed lever whose opposite endsbear on said. two columns and means for changing the effective pressureexerted on said pivoted lever, substantially as described.

15. In a device of the class described, a dynamo having a principalexciting field-magnet coil and a reverse-wound field-magnet coil; incombination with a separate column of resisting-bodies in shunt witheach of said field-mag net windings, a lever w'hose opposite ends bearon said two columns, means for exerting pressure to tilt said lever inone direction and means for exerting various degrees of force on saidlever in opposition to said first-named means, substantially asdescribed.

16. in a device of the class described, a dynamo having tworeverselywound sets of fieldmagnet coils in series with each other, two001* umns of resisting-bodies, a solenoid having two coils, andmechanical means connecting said columns and said solenoid for producingdifferential pressure changes in said columns under the influence ofcurrent changes in said solenoid; in combination with an electricconnection between one end of the field-magnet coils and one end of oneof said resisting-columns, a connection between one end of the othercolumn and the working circuit of the dynamo, a connection between theremaining ends of both said columns and the junction between the twosets of field-magnet coils and a connection from the remaining end ofthe entire field-magnet system, through one coil of said solenoid to theworking circuit of the dynamo, substantially as described.

17 In a device of the class described, a dynamo having twooppositely-wound sections of field-magnet coils in series with eachother and together in shunt with the armature,;and a rheostat connectedin shunt with one of the field-magnet sections, substantially asdescribed.

18. In a device of the class described, a dynamo having twooppositely-wound sections of field-magnet coils in series with eachother and together in shunt with the armature, a rheostat connected inshunt with one of the field-magnet sections and means for varying theresistance of said rheostat, substantially as described.

19. In a device of the class described, a dynamo having a principal anda reverse-wound section of field-magnet coils in series with each otherand, together in shunt with the armature and an automatic regulatorcomprising a va riable-resistance device in shunt with the principalfield-magnet coils, substantially as de scribed.

20. In a device of the class described, a dynamo having a principal anda reverse-wound section of field-magnet coils in series with each otherand together in shunt with the armature and an automatic regulatorcomprising a variable-resistance-device in shunt with the reversefield-magnet coil, substantially as described. i

21. In combination with a dynamo having an exciting-coil producingoperative magnetization of its field-magnet, a rheostat in series withthe entire exciting-coil, a second rheostat in shunt around said entireexciting-coil and means for simultaneously producing opposite resistancechanges in said two rheostats, substantially as described.

22. In combination with a magneto-electric generator having a principalor exciting coil and a coil magnetically opposed thereto, two rheostatsso connected to said field magnet coils as to exert opposite tendenciesupon the flow of current in said coils and means for producingsimultaneous and opposite resistance changes in said rheostats,substantially as described.

28. In a device of the class described, adynamo having a principal and amagneticallyopposing section of field-magnet winding, an electromagneticregulator having primary and secondary coils, said secondary coil beingin series with said magnetically-opposing fieldmagnet coil, and arheostat controlled by said regulator and connected in shunt around saidfield-magnet coil, substantially as described.

2 L. In a device of the class described, adynamo having a principal anda magneticallyopposing section of field-magnet winding, anelectromagnetic regulator having a primary coil in series with the maincircuit of said dynamo and a secondary coil in series with saidmagnetically-opposing field-magnet winding, and a rheostat controlled bysaid regulator and connected in shuntaround said magnetically-opposingfield-magnet coil and said secondary regulator coil, substantially asdescribed.

25. In a device of the class described, adynamo having a principal and amagneticallyopposing section of field-magnet winding, an electromagneticregulator having a primary coil and a secondary coil, said secondarycoil being in series with said magnetically-opposing field-magnetwinding, and two rheostats both controlled by said regulator, one ofwhich is connected in shunt around said magnetically-opposingfield-magnet winding and said secondary regulator-coil while the otherrheostat is in series with said last-named winding and coil,substantially as described.

26. In a device of the class described, adynamo having a principal and areverse section of field-magnet winding, an electromagnetic regulatortherefor comprising a coil connected to form with said two field-magnetsections a single electric series, two rheostats in series with eachother and connected in shunt with the entire aforesaid electrical seriesof coils, an electric connection from a point between saidrheostats'directly to a point between said two field-magnet sections andmeans controlled by said regulator for changing the resistances of saidrheostats, substantially as de scribed.

27. In a device of the class described, a dynamo, a rheostat in shuntwith the excitingcoil of said dynamo, and an electromagnetic regulatorfor said dynamo having a primary and a secondary coil, said primary coilbeing in series with the main circuit of the dynamo and said secondarycoil being in series with said rheostat, substantially as described.

' V MONTGOMERY WADDELL.

Witnesses: WILLIAM H. KE'I'IRA, JOSEPH V. ODoNNnLL.

